Lott added that Meetze left mostly uninjured, aside from traumatic experience of being shot at and seeing his brother murdered in front of him.

Lott added that Meetze left mostly uninjured, aside from traumatic experience of being shot at and seeing his brother murdered in front of him.

After over 100 hours of detective work, Lott said that investigators detected a significant drug operation, which brought them from the east to the west coast.

As a result, authorities uncovered that the murder was a gang hit resulting from a “personal beef” over money and drugs.

Five men were arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder, and possessing a weapon during a violent crime.

The suspects have been identified as:

– Barry Reed, 22, who deputies named as the “ruthless ringleader,” apprehended in Seattle Washington. Police seized over $30,000 in cash during the arrest.
– Anthony Brevard, 27.
– Benjamin Chestnut, 22.
– Corey Sanders, 27.
– Calvin Rockmore, 25, who was arrested in Philadelphia and has a pending extradition to South Carolina.

Lott referred to the gang hit as the “most ruthless in recent memory.” He also indicated that investigators discovered over 50 shell casings from 6 different firearms, including an assault rifle and various caliber handguns.

While carrying out several search warrants on March 26, Lott said police seized 12 pounds of marijuana, $60,000 in cash, and nine weapons ranging from assault rifles to handguns that were stolen. While executing the warrants, deputies arrested Barry Reed’s younger brother, Britton Reed, 21, who has been charged with the illegal carrying of a pistol and possessing a weapon stolen from a University of South Carolina police officer.